Abu Dhabi: Shaikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister for Development and International Cooperation and Head of the UAE Committee for the Coordination of Humanitarian Foreign Aid, on Monday became the first Emirati to be honoured with the Clinton Global Citizen Award for her leadership in public service.
The award recognises individuals for their leadership in improving the lives of people around the globe, and the event, hosted by former US president Bill Clinton in New York, was attended by Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State and head of the UAE/Egypt Liaison Office; Reem Al Hashemi, Minister of State, and Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, UAE’s Permanent Representative to the UN.
“I am humbled by this recognition, and, with gratitude, I stand before all of you today to receive this award on behalf of my country, the United Arab Emirates,” said Shaikha Lubna.
“Allow me to say that this is not about me, I am representing my country the UAE, who with the guidance of the founder of the UAE, Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, has set a policy of giving to all those in need regardless of race, colour and religion. I am here, holding this award, because I am very fortunate to be given the opportunity by the UAE leadership to be the first-ever female minister and, more importantly, to be an agent of positive change,” she said.
“I dedicate this award to [His Highness] Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE; [His Highness] Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; and [His Highness] Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces,” Shaikha Lubna added.
The Clinton Global Citizen Awards honour outstanding individuals who exemplify global citizenship through their vision and leadership.
Shaikha Lubna is the second awardee from a Gulf country since the award’s inception in 2008.
